Teachable moments
Ed Hellenbeck’s marketing class is tough,
but students love
it.
When a cell phone goes off in the classroom,
Ed Hellenbeck allows one infraction. If it goes off again, he
takes 5 points off the student’s
final grade.
Mix together a lot of energy with a little edge and you’ve
got business professor Ed Hellenbeck. He spent 20 years as a vice
president and manager at Unum, a major player in the disability insurance
field. Much of that time he worked in marketing and customer service,
a background that carries over in how he listens to students and
meets their needs while demanding they perform at a high standard.
IN HIS WORDS
“They know I won’t accept mediocrity. They
know they can’t get
away with anything and that they’ll have to work.
I push them so they can produce more than they thought they could.
I don’t let them fly under
the radar.
They tell me they like the humor. And they like real-world examples.
“I’m good at picking who I can say certain things
to…the
ones who can take it and give it back.
Admitting you’re wrong
is powerful.
We establish class values together.
I always try to say “that’s a great point” when
someone makes a good comment.
I write long letters to those who excel.
You have to be a human being with them. I can’t operate
otherwise.
I can’t tell you how much power there is in narrative, in
story. I share my personal experiences with them. They know me.
They know my history, my struggles. I tell them how I failed at
my first management job and why.
I tell them how I got a 70s average in high school, didn’t
go to college right away and landed in Vietnam.
I authentically like them. I relate to them on their level.
I’m hard on them, but I have empathy for what’s going
on in their lives.
I never teach the same class twice.
I learn something in every class. I have a teaching file. I put
notes in there on things that need tweaking.
To make them successful, you have to deliver hard messages. I try
to be blatantly honest with them.
They have to trust me. If they don’t, they’re suspicious
of the content and the process. How do you build trust? For me,
I know their names, I say hello in the hall, I make a comment to
them about them.
Students like to be recognized. If they got a 95 on a quiz, I tell
them they can ace it next time.
Deliver on commitments. Get papers back in one week if you say
one week, and if you say I’ll meet you at 1, be there at
1.
They believe I have their best interest at heart and are
therefore willing to go
the extra mile for me.”
IN THEIR WORDS
Jeff Ferguson ’08
Communications major
Northwood, N.H.
“I found Ed to be one of the
most challenging and interesting teachers I have ever had. He
would always expect a business-like demeanor from all of his
students, so much so that when we did a presentation, it was
expected that we show up in a shirt and tie.
He pushed me to succeed, and didn’t take no for an answer.
If he had an issue with the way you were doing something, he didn’t
beat around the bush – he told you, oftentimes right in front
of the class. But on the flip side, if you ever needed help … he
would always be there to help you.
Ed was everything I never expected in a college professor … my
experience in those two courses made them two of my favorite classes.”
Kimberly Wallace ’08
Management major
Northport, Maine
“I loved Ed’s class because … there was never a dull
moment. He gave examples of products and companies that are well-known
and constantly made jokes with the class. He would yell and be
loud, and there was really no way that you could not pay attention
to what he was saying.
I would describe his teaching style as interactive. While he is
providing the students with a lot of information, he almost always
encourages participation.
Ed’s sense of humor is what makes his classes so enjoyable.
He really builds relationships with the students, whether making
a joke or teasing them.
While the information was interesting, he made his tests and quizzes
very hard. You really had to know your stuff to do well.
I believe he is passionate about what he does ….
He jokes around a lot, but can also
be very serious.
Over the summer he got me a contact at Unum, which helped secure
an internship for this fall.
I think most students really respect him.”
Stephan Gorsun ’09
Marketing major
South Berwick, Maine
“The great thing about any of Ed’s classes is that you can
be sitting in a classroom for two hours and not even realize it
... because the class itself is so
captivating.
Ed’s sense of humor is my favorite part of his classroom
environment. It is great to be able to joke around with him and
have some laughs in class … it really adds a level of comfort
to his classes that makes his students open up to the material
he presents.
I’ve never been challenged more in my academic career than
I have been through writing papers in some of Ed’s advanced
marketing classes. He expects well-thought-out, professional and
accurate work ....
He is a man of integrity, honesty and compassion, and if you’re
willing to work hard, he will do anything he can to help you be
successful .... Ed is one of the biggest reasons I decided to become
a marketing major.
I knew through his classes that I would be prepared for a real
job when the time came to graduate.
He has been incredibly helpful when it has come to finding internships,
writing recommendations, referring me to positions on campus and
just being there when I have needed to talk about anything.
I can’t say enough about his willingness to go
out of his way
for students.”
